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S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | M O N T H 2 0 1 4
is based on a forward
view, seeing only what's
directly ahead as the
scope is withdrawn. Two
new endoscopes' optical
enhancements are
expanding this standard
view, though, significant-
ly improving visualization
by shedding light on
potentially challenging
areas.
One of the scopes, the
Fuse Full Spectrum
Endoscopy colonoscope
by EndoChoice, employs
3 CCD imaging chips and
7 LEDs (3 at the front
and 2 on each side) to
nearly double the field of
view to 330 degrees. The panoramic video image it captures is displayed across
3 adjacent monitors, with 1 screen showing the straight-ahead view and the oth-
ers, angled 45 degrees on the left and right sides, providing peripheral views,
similar to the way a car's side-view mirrors would. The wider view enables a
more thorough examination of the colon's lining.
In another scope, increased distal-end articulation offers an improvement on
visualization. The narrower retroflex radius of the RetroView Video
Colonoscope from Pentax allows 210 degrees of angulation. This maneuverabili-
ty gives physicians easier access to the proximal side of folds and flexures in
the colon lining, where polyps might be particularly challenging to spot.
E N D O S C O P Y
SCOPE ASSISTANCE Medivator's Endocuff Endoscopic Overtube
makes it easier for physicians to inspect both the front and the back
sides of folds in the colon.
Rob
Magyar
The value of enhancements
to endoscopic visualization is
clearly in their promise to
vastly improve patient care.
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